AECP Level 1: All About Layering

I’m excited to be a part of the Altenew Educator Certification Program and this is my first blog post. I started with the All About Layering Class as it seemed the best place to start. I’ve done some layering but not much.

The first card was inspired by the first and fourth lessons using the layering stamps as the background for the card. I was also inspired the fifth lesson for the focal point image placement.

To create the background I placed both outline stamps on a white panel in the Misti then stamped in the darkest gray ink. I rotated the panel 180 degrees and repeated the process. I stamped the entire panel like this until I couldn’t anymore. Then I filled in any blank spots. I placed the most solid stamp layers as best I could and stamped them in the second lightest ink. I repeated the same steps as the outline layer. I stamped the second layer stamp in the second darkest ink following the above steps. I stamped the flower centers in the darkest ink using an acrylic block.

To say that these first attempts were bad would be an understatement but it was great practice and they did get better. I wanted to still use the panel so I used the lightest ink to blend over the entire thing then added a darker shade just at the corners. It reminds me of wallpaper now.

I stamped the main flowers in coral colors and I stamped the teal and purple flowers at the same time. I learned not to judge the flowers until they are dry. I thought the larger flower looked terrible but once the ink dried back I was much happier. I did have to throw out a few attempts because they didn’t lineup at all but I kept at it and was pleased with the results in the end.

I die cut the flowers and added foam tape to the backs. Before adhering them I decided on placement and stamped the stems directly to the background in a dark black ink. I then adhered the flowers. I stamped and heat embossed the greeting on a scrap of gray cardstock and mounted it with foam tape as well.

My second card was much the same but the background is only the outline layer stamped on purple cardstock. I added dark purple ink to the edges. Everything else for this card was the same as the first.

For the final card I skipped the outline and center stamps and just used the two solid stamps. I stamped with teal inks onto teal cardstock and again inked the edges. I think this is my favorite background of all. It’s more subtle but it really makes an impression. Again the rest of the card is the same as the first two.

I love that these three simple cards provided many opportunities to practice stamp layering. I’m pleased with my first attempts for the All About Layering Class and look forward to sharing more from this class and many others. Have you tried stamp layering? Do you have any tips or suggestions for me?

Supplies:

United We Flourish, Stamp and Die Combo, Poppy Fields by Altenew

Altenew inks: Sea Shore Mini Cube set, Rock Collection Mini Cube Set, Tea PartyMini Cube Set, Shades of Purple Mini Cube Set

Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder

Embossing Ink

Permanent Black Crisp Ink

Neenah 110lb paper

Purple cardstock

Gray cardstock

Teal cardstock